The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is celebrating 150 years with a “big birthday block party” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is free all day and a 50% off membership deal will be available only at the event. Guests also can get a first look at the museum’s new Paleontology Center.
The party will begin with a speech from Mayor Gloria Todd at 9:30 a.m. at the south steps of the museum, near the fountain.
For children, there will be outside activities in the new nature trail with partners from San Diego Canyonlands, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and Earth Discovery Institute.
“It’s an exciting point in time for those of us working in the museum,” said Judy Gradwohl, president and CEO of The Nat. “We are feeling the weight of history and thinking about the people who came before us and got the museum to where it is today.”
Guests will get an exclusive look at the museum’s three-year-long project, the 8,000-square-foot Paleontology Center, and to stroll and view 150 years of history in the library.
“It looks wonderful,” Gradwohl said. “People will be able to walk through a part of the collections and see how many objects we have in the museum.”
In addition, there will be a showing of the museum’s film, T.REX, for $5 per person and opportunities to engage with the museum’s scientists.
Food from the new cafe vendor, The Craft Taco, and cocktails at the all-ages rooftop bar will be available. Shopping at Gold Leaf, The Nat’s new retail partner, is also an option.
Parking at the museum is limited, so guests are urged to arrive early.
“We wanted to open our doors to everyone to thank San Diego for supporting us for the past 150 years,” Gradwohl said. “We’ve been an important part of everyone’s childhood and adulthood, and we’re grateful for the support of the community. This is a way of giving back.”
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